Refugees struggle to access Medication

Rotarians handover medical equipment to Think Humanity health centre staff and local leaders. Photo by Francis Mugerwa

Hoima
Refugees in Kyangwali refugee camp in Hoima District are face with the challenge of accessibility health care.
According to local leaders, some refugees stay over 15 kilometres away from the nearest health centres.
Where cases need to be referred to a hospital, the Kyangwali sub county district councilor Mr Tom Muhe said patients have to be moved over 80 kilometres from the refugee camp to Hoima regional referral hospital.
Mr Muhe was speaking at a ceremony where the Rotary club of Bweyogerere-Nambole partnered with International Rotary Club of Boulder valley in USA to donate an assortment of medical equipment to Think Humanity Medical Centre. The Medical centre is run by Think Humanity, an international Humanitarian organization.

The US Rotary clubs of Loveland mountain view, Roseville, Denver Boulder flatirons, coal creek, new London, Niwot, Thompson valley, long grove Kilder among others donated an assortment of equipment worth over 15, 000 dollars to Think Humanity Medical centre which is adjacent to Kyangwali refugee resettlement scheme.
The donation included complete blood machine (CBC), incubators, suction machines for babies, a standby generator, solar systems, laptops, refrigerators to store vaccines and oxygen concentrator among others.

The Think Humanity medical Centre in charge Mr Herbert Alinaitwe said the centre had staff but with limited equipment. The centre serves a catchment population of over 60,000 people.
He said the clinic receives over 500 patients both refugees and nationals. Alinaitwe said the improved medical facilities at the medical centre will improve on the quality of medical care which
patients receive at the centre.
Pat Troeltzsch, who represented the Rotary club of Boulder valley, said the money was raised through fundraising.
“We were prompted due to the overwhelming need for better health care in communities hosting refugees” Troeltzsch said.
Mr Nickson Order, Refugee welfare council three General Secretary who represented refugees welcomed the support.
He said the refugees have been having a challenge in accessing quality health care.

“The equipped health centre will go a long way in addressing such challenges” he said.
The Think Humanity Education manager Mr Joshua Habarugira appreciated the donation by Rotarians and said the organization works towards improving the welfare of vulnerable communities.
“Such a donation is meant to improve health and economic wellbeing of the community” he said.
He asked the local communities to own the equipment and set up a committee to support the health centre.
He asked community members to support efforts aimed at putting the machines to better use.

The Commissioner of Refugees Mr David Kazungu said Government is sensitive to the health needs of refugees and nationals.
He said Government is working on upgrading Kituuti health centre to have a theatre and upgraded health services that can be accessed by refugees and nationals.
“We have health facilities in the refugee camp and in adjacent communities. There could be shortages of drugs but it is occasioned by the high numbers clients who are need of the services”Kazungu told the Daily Monitor on Wednesday.

He added that Government has integrated refugee protection and management in National evelopment Plan to enhance refugees participation in the development of the country.
He said while the settlement transformation agenda, Government will improve on the Livelihoods, security, education, health and other social services of the refugees and communities adjacent to
resettlement schemes.
“We are sensitive to the concerns of the refugees and want them to be part of the productive sector of the economy”Kazungu added.